Sands China heads for a sustainable future in a post-Covid world
Sands China has opted for solar thermal-heat pump hybrid energy.
Sands China is focusing on creating a sustainable future for its properties in Macau.
Sands China has unveiled a new, greener energy plant at its Cotai Central hotel and resort. The forward-thinking development positions the Macau property as a beacon of sustainability in terms of energy generation, setting an example that others are sure to follow. We find out more.
Embracing energy efficiency in Macau
Sands China is laying the groundwork for a sustainable future with the help of innovations made at its Sands Cotai Central integrated resort. The Macau landmark will now benefit from energy produced via the first solar thermal-heat pump hybrid energy plant. Dr Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China, said: “We are very excited about embracing renewable energy in our business operations wherever possible to mitigate the impact from fossil-fuel energy sources.”
The sky’s the limit
The Sky Tower at Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, Cotai Strip, a Sands China property, will now be powered by the solar energy plant. This sustainable source of fuel will replace natural gas boilers, and power the tower’s 2,000 hotel rooms, restaurants and bars, kitchens, spas and swimming pools.
The plant is an industry first in South-EastAsia, and consists of a 520-kilowatt-capacity solar thermal coupled with an 800-kilowatt-capacity high-temperature water source heat pump system. This new system, which operates on the basis of a hybrid heating and cooling model, improves the efficiency of the plant by 50%, and will no doubt put the Sands China property in prime position to make a faster recovery following the Covid-19 crisis, where keeping overheads low will no doubt be of paramount importance.
Observations and successes
Syed Mubarak, Executive Director at Sands China, said: “The results are very promising since its operation, particularly on the heat pump which has higher COP [Coefficient of Performance] with chilled water by-product to supplement a certain percentage of central cooling plant load. Combining it with solar thermal creates better benefits.”
“This concept is applicable to where both heating and cooling is needed. This can also be further expanded with PVT [photovoltaic thermal] panels where electricity and hot water are generated, which will further improve the system efficiency and comes with a capital cost increase,” he added.
